Three new foreign envoys present credentials to president

Three newly appointed foreign envoys to the Maldives presented their credentials to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday.

The new appointees who presented their credentials at a ceremony held on Sunday morning are Germany’s new Ambassador Holger Lothar Seubert, Rwandan new High Commissioner Jacqueline Mukangira and the new Ambassador of the United Mexican States to Maldives Federico Salas Lofte.

All three called on the president separately, after their respective ceremonies.

During the meeting with the new German ambassador, President Solih conveyed his hope that the existing bilateral relations of Maldives and Germany would further strengthen in the days to come.

Noting that Germany was an “important bilateral partner” to Maldives, Solih thanked the German government for the development cooperation rendered throughout the years.

The president and the ambassador also discussed ways to enhance existing relations between the two nations, emphasizing cooperation on areas relating to multilateral relations, fisheries, economy, health and education sectors.

Ambassador Seubert described the opportunity to serve as the ambassador to Maldives as “a privilege” and highlighted that he was committed to ensure that the positive trajectory of relations between Maldives and Germany will remain intact and flourish further during his tenure

President Solih thanked the Rwandan government during the meeting with its new high commissioner to Maldives, for their support towards the Maldives candidature during the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elections, in June earlier this year.

While Solih expressed confidence that the strong ties between the Maldives and Rwanda would continue to prosper under her tenure, the high commissioner congratulated the president's landslide win in the UNGA elections.

She further assured that Rwanda will continue to support the Maldives in the international arena, adding that the country looks forward to boost bilateral ties between the two republics.

They also discussed mutual areas of cooperation.

President and Mexico’s Federico Salas Lofte spoke on areas of mutual cooperation, as well as ways to strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector between the two nations.

While the president highlighted that the tourist arrivals during the last holiday season increased following the reopening of borders in July last year, Lofte noted that many Mexicans are looking forward to travelling to the Maldives.

He also emphasized that a number of Mexicans are employed in the tourism sector in the Maldives in managerial posts and as chefs.

Further noting that the Maldives recently became the first country to phase out Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), President Solih expressed confidence to engage with Mexico in the upcoming COP26, to identify mutually beneficial solutions to climate change and other environmental crises.

The two also discussed bilateral collaboration to pursue green energy products and explored the possibility of engaging Mexican private companies in the field of blue economy.